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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
3
Radford RAD 0-1
4
Winner Bryant BRYANT 1-0
Radford RAD
0-1
3
Final
4
Bryant BRYANT
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Radford RAD 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 1
Bryant BRYANT 1 0 1 2 0 X 4 5 1

W: KENNEY (1-0) L: Jones, Natalie (0-1)

3
Winner Radford RAD 1-1
0
Long Island LIU 1-5
Winner
Radford RAD
1-1
3
Final
0
Long Island LIU
1-5
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Radford RAD 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 6 1
Long Island LIU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

W: Palya, Ellen (1-0) L: BUCKNER, K. (1-1) S: Greene, Chloe (1)

LauraThompson
Rob Simmons

Game Recap: Softball |

Highlanders Split Season Opener at Bash in the Boro

STATESBORO, GA. –The Radford softball program split their two games on the opening day of their season Friday, dropping the first contest to Bryant 4-3 before shutting out Long Island in a 3-0 victory.

Game 1
The Highlanders got off to an electric start in their first game of the day. Laura Thompson wasted no time making her first impression as a Highlander singling to left field and Cori McMillan followed suit with a single of her own. That set up senior Abby Wilson who crushed a three-run homer that gave Radford a 3-0 lead.

Freshman Natalie Jones got the starting nod in the circle for Radford. After a lead off home run, Jones settled in and held Bryant scoreless for six straight outs to keep the lead at 3-1. Another solo shot in the third pulled the Bulldogs closer at 3-2.

In the fourth inning, Bryant would pull ahead 4-3 for the eventual final score after their first two batters reached. Radford didn't go quietly, immediately loading the bases with zero outs in the top of the fifth inning. Three straight Highlanders would be retired, though, allowing the lead to stand.

Ellen Palya came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth retiring three of the four batters she faced. Rachel Smith led off the top of the sixth with a single as Radford tried to rally, but a rainstorm paused play and eventually lead to the calling of the game in Bryant's favor 4-3 in the top of the sixth.

Game 2
In the second game of the day Radford played the full seven innings and came out on top 3-0 over Long Island. Palya picked up where she left off in the previous game and was excellent in the second game. Long Island loaded the bases in the opening inning, but that was as threatening as the Sharks got for the afternoon as Palya retired the side to eliminate the threat.

The Highlanders were held scoreless through the first two innings but came alive in the third. Jones opened the inning with a single and Kyndall Stanley replaced her on the bases. After a sacrifice bunt and a passed ball Stanley was on third looking to break the scoreless tie. Thompson had the answer, singling to left field to score Stanley.

McMillan joined the scoring fun as she crushed a double to left center that scored Thompson. Wilson followed her with her fourth RBI of the day, another single that scored McMillan. From there, Radford was able to cruise thanks to dominant pitching.

Palya would go all the way into the sixth inning without surrendering a hit. Despite six walks on the day, she held the Sharks scoreless and handed pitching duties off to freshman Chloe Greene for the final five outs.

Greene would surrender the first hit of the day, but other than that the freshman was flawless. Greene retired five of the seven batters she faced to earn the first save of her career in her first career appearance.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Thompson highlighted the offensive end of things today as she collected three hits and a pair of walks in seven plate appearances. Thompson scored two runs, tied for most on the team with McMillan. Wilson was the scoring hero of the day with four RBIs in just six plate appearances. As a team the Highlanders out-hit their opponents by seven as well.

Palya's debut with Radford was a strong one as the junior totaled 6.1 IP, three strikeouts and didn't surrender a single run. Greene's first collegiate appearance was also strong as the freshman allowed just a pair of baserunners in 1.2 scoreless innings for her first save.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders have another pair of games awaiting them tomorrow in day two of the Bash in the Boro. Radford opens up the day against the weekend hosts Georgia Southern at 3 p.m. After that, the squad will face Long Island again for a projected 5:30 p.m. first pitch.
 
Follow Softball on Social Media
For more information on the Radford softball team, follow @RadfordSoftball on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Softball on Facebook.
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